One might think The VAR Guy’s team would stop being surprised at how far Microsoft is willing to go to take potshots at its cloud rivals over at Google. But in a Q&A with Computerworld, Senior Director of Microsoft Online Services Tom Rizzo had some fighting words for Google, saying the company is “failing” at understanding the needs of the enterprise. Needless to say, his comments have the IT world abuzz. Here’s the scoop:
First and foremost, a VAR Guy tip of the hat to Computerworld’s Sharon Gaudin for getting the story. The Q&A treads familiar ground at first, with Rizzo defending his company’s cloud efforts and reaffirming Microsoft’s belief in a hybrid future. But then he gets into controversial territory. When asked if he thinks Google doesn’t understand business, here’s what Rizzo had to say:
“Yeah, Google doesn’t understand the commercial business. They get the consumer. A lot of times, consumers are more open in their privacy than a company. … We understand those things because we grew up in the enterprise. Google is akin to Microsoft maybe 20 years ago. The difference is we invested a lot in the space. Whereas, I don’t know if they’ll be here for the long haul. They’ve been in the enterprise e-mail and collaboration space for four years and they have less than 1 percent of the enterprise e-mail market after four years. And that’s according to Gartner.”
The conversation after that rehashes most of those same points, with Rizzo hammering home his belief that Google’s approach to privacy matters isn’t exactly enterprise-friendly. It’s well worth reading the entire text of the Q&A for some perspective on the Microsoft vs. Google conflict, especially with the pending launch of purported Google Apps-killer Office 365 in 2011.
The VAR Guy doesn’t know what to think. This isn’t the first time Microsoft’s criticized Google in public, and I doubt it’ll be the last. But the last time I had the opportunity to speak with Google, folks there seemed completely nonplussed by Microsoft’s PR assault, and in fact said they were flattered because it meant they were doing something right.
Needless to say, we’ll be watching as closely as ever, so stay tuned.
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Sure, Tom Rizzo of Microsoft hammers away on how Google doesn’t understand commercial business, then the other day Linus Upson of Google says Chrome OS could replace up to 60& of all Windows PCs in business organizations. I think we’re all pretty immune to this inanity by now, although I think Larry Ellison of Oracle is the master of inanity.
Tim: The VAR Guy has been watching the Google and Microsoft claims closely. It would be amazing to see Chrome OS replace 60% of Windows PCs in business. That would be truly incredible… especially since Chrome OS doesn’t really exist yet.
-TVG
VAR Guy: Actually, I recall downloading an early release of Chrome OS about a year ago. It was provided as a .vmdk file. I was able to run it as a VM on Sun/Oracle VirtualBox. Looked just like the Chrome browser, but isn’t that the point…an OS with a browser GUI that is always connected to the Internet? I haven’t heard a whole lot about the Chrome OS this year. I think it was supposed to be “released” into the wild right about now. The popularity of Android seems to have sucked the air out of Chrome OS. Recently, Dr. Eric Schmidt at Google said Android was better suited for devices that are operated by touch screens and Chrome OS was better suited for netbooks where you type with your fingers on a keyboard. Personally, I think that distinction is rather dubious and doesn’t make a lot of sense. Expect more official information about Chrome OS before the end of the year.
Tim: The VAR Guy agrees on multiple points…
1. Android’s overwhelming buzz seems to have pulled the spotlight away from Chrome OS.
2. Chrome OS update expected before year’s end.
3. Touch vs. keyboard sounds like an artificial line between Android and Chrome OS…
Thanks for reading. The VAR Guy appreciates savvy site visitors.
-TVG
It is obvious that something has come into the works of the whole Google and Microsoft collaboration and has tainted the mix. Needless to say, that Google Chrome is just a mere additive compared to Microsoft’s Office 365. I believe that the core concern stemming from the undoing of the ERM/ERP as well as EMC virtual cloud app management for Google’s supposed new OS. Well, Microsoft has already come out with an OS named: Windows Home Server, quite some time ago. Only, now the development and reproduction of this particular brand in Windows Family Operating Systems has been halted. Perhaps Google felt the aftershock of some of Microsoft’s downsizing efforts, and this is in addition to the fact that Google is more Search-engine oriented and not Cloud oriented.
chrisRobert: Oh, maybe 10 years ago you could characterize Google as primarily a search company but not today. Google is in the business of providing IT services in the cloud. Although the company is somewhat secretive about the details, it operates approx. 12 large cloud data centers around the world, which are basically warehouse scale computers consisting of millions of individual computers providing their “magic” using Google’s secret sauce. If Google was just “Search-engine oriented” nothing on that scale would be required. Google’s ambitions are far beyond search at this point in their development.
Tim: Agreed. Google is far more than a search company these days. But The VAR Guy would be curious to know how much money Google generates from non-search activities.
-TVG